CSC in 1-2-3: Spiritual Formation

1) What is spiritual formation? The process of formation is about being formed into something. But what? Philosophically speaking, according to Aristotle, humans are made up of form and matter. Form is the essence of who we are as humans. What is our essence? Spiritually speaking, Catholics believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God and so our essence is being God-like. What does all that mean? Spiritual Formation is the process of becoming more (and in some ways rediscovering) ourselves and realizing our essence - fully human in the image of God.

2) Why make time for spiritual formation? Fully human in the image of God, concisely, means to be truly free (spiritually, not legally), ordered toward God's goodness, and united in love with God and all of creation. What is the end product of becoming fully human in the image of God? True happiness. With each step we take to spiritually form ourselves into God's image we will become more happy.

3) How do I do spiritual formation? There are many ways to form yourself spiritually, far too many to list here, but essentially it is anything that gets to the heart and soul of who we are. Some practical examples that are offered at the CSC: Prayer (conversing with God about who you are), Mass (Diving into the mystery that is God, within community), Bible Study (listening to God's Words of wisdom), Spiritual Direction (guidance in the spiritual life), Retreats (spiritual work-outs), Reconciliation (recognizing the room for growth in fully realizing our humanity), Service (encountering the depths of humanity outside yourself), Education - such as our Foundations Series, books, RCIA, Theology on Tap, etc. (gaining knowledge about who you are and who God is).

Written by Troy Woytek, Campus Minister

**Don't miss either of tonight's special opportunities for spiritual formation: Yoga Stations of the Cross from 7-8pm and Lenten Mass on the S. 40 at 10pm!**

Job Hunter: Child Care

From a community member:

I am a licensed speech-language pathologist with 14 years of experience. For the past 3 years I have been a nanny for one child. He will be starting full time preschool in August and will no longer be in my care. I am looking to babysit one infant or toddler in my home while my only child,

a daughter who will be in sixth grade, is in school. Although my time is pretty flexible, the hours between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm work best, approximately 20 hours per week. My fee is $15 an hour. I live in Olivette near Delmar and 170. If interested please call me, Amy Hengen Hauser, at 314-488-3014. References available upon request.

CSC in 1-2-3: Confession

1. Why do I need to go to confession if God can forgive me any time? While this is true, there is often still a grief or a shame that we are holding onto if we are not able to bring ourselves to share openly our shortcomings with this other person. In freely and fully confessing our sins, we are liberated from the emotional and spiritual grip that they have on us. The priest stands in for the community of the human family whom we have sinned against, serving as the voice of their love and forgiveness - and God's - in light of our desire for healing and wholeness.

2. What happens in Catholic confession? You can prepare for Confession by examining your conscience and being sincerely sorry for your sins. At Confession, state your sins openly and honestly to the priest, feeling free to ask for advice or ask questions. The priest will then assign you a penance (an act or sacrifice performed to show sorrow or repentance for your sin) and provide you with a copy of the Act of Contrition for you to recite. The priest concludes with "The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace," to which you respond, "Thanks be to God."

3. We all have people who we know love us very much, but from time to time we still need to hear those precious words "I love you" that sink so deeply into our hearts. In the same way, there is something about so powerful about hearing the words "I absolve you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Written by Mark Zaegel, Campus Minister

Don't miss our Confession Marathon on Wed., March 21 from 2pm-12am for a chance to gain peace and reconciliation. Confession is also available 15 minutes before weekday Masses or by appointment; contact Cathy D. to schedule a time.

CSC in 1-2-3: Saints and St. Patrick

1. Jesus tells us that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the God of the living, not of the dead (Mk 12:27). From the earliest statements in the Letter to the Hebrews that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1) to the Nicene Creed, Catholics have constantly held to the belief that our Church isn't restricted to those alive in body alone but includes the "Church Triumphant" in heaven. The communion of saints is not merely an optional "flavor" to Christianity, but tells us something important about our own final destiny - true life is found in Christ and love of neighbor does not end with bodily death.

2. To quote the Baltimore Catechism, we have one end in life: "God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this life so as to be happy with Him forever in the next." Sainthood isn't the destiny of the few, but our common - our ordinary - destiny as Catholics. The saints in heaven are, as the new Mass translation puts it, "co-heirs to eternal life" - co-heirs with us.

3. As we celebrate Saint Patrick's Day with a special celebration at Tuesday Mass and Soup on March 20, we see a shining example of love of God and neighbor in Patrick, but also someone who can pray for us so that we too can be saints with him. Worthiness of God's grace is not a concern when we have such great friends in heaven who can bring us to that day when, as St. Patrick says, "...we shall rise again in the brightness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, as children of the living God and co-heirs of Christ, made in his image; for we shall reign through him and for him and in him." Saint Patrick is just one of those holding a place for you in heaven - are you going to RSVP?

Written by Br. James Rooney, OP

Lenten Reflection Book

If you're interested in some daily reflections and insights put together by the Catholic Student Union, we'd highly encourage you to preview and download the 2012 Lenten Reflection Book.

CSC in 1-2-3: The Rosary

1. History: The traditional devotion of praying the Rosary is thought to be traced back to the early middle ages when Irish monks would be heard praying the Psalms throughout the day by workers in the fields. Since the Psalms were difficult to memorize, the workers began reciting prayers that were easier to memorize, such as the Lord's Prayer, while they worked. By the 12th & 13th century the Rosary as we know it today, with 5 sets of 10 (decades) Hail Marys and an Our Father preceding each Hail Mary, was being used as a prayer within the Church.

2. Purpose: Praying the Rosary is a meditative prayer style in two particular ways. First, it is repetitive, so it is easy to pray, but as a result it becomes like a mantra that is conducive to meditation. Secondly, while praying the rosary we meditate on the life of Christ with each decade of Hail Marys focusing on an aspect of Jesus' or Mary's life.

3. Opportunity: If you'd like to pray with a group of people you can join the Blessed Newman Prayer Corps any week on Sundays at one of two times: Five minutes after the 11am Mass in the Chapel Balcony or before the 9pm Mass at 8:45pm in the Living Room. Adoration, offered on Wednesdays between 8-9pm in the CSC Chapel, is another great opportunity to pray the Rosary on your own.

Written by Troy Woytek, Campus Minister

One-Year House Sublet

A community member (Deacon Phil's daughter) would like to sublet her furnished house for the year starting in June. It's located near Delmar and 170 in a lovely neighborhood. At $750/month for two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a garage, this is perfect for one or two grad students.

You can find photos of the house here. Please contact Jamey for more information about the property.